By Satvik Bansal
The Rispana River, which is the provider of water to nearly 70% of Dehradun, is in serious danger. Once a free-flowing river full of life, it is now struggling due to pollution, construction, and waste dumping. A recent survey by young individuals of a local NGO, MAD by BTD, has shown how human activities are slowly killing this important water source.
One of the biggest problems is uncontrolled construction along the riverbanks. Resorts and other buildings have come up too close to the river, disturbing its natural flow. To make things worse, people are treating Rispana like a dustbin, throwing plastic, household garbage, and even untreated sewage straight into the water. Instead of being a clean river, Rispana is now filled with filth and pollution. But the biggest change is what has happened under the water. Due to constant construction near the river, a lot of cement and concrete has fallen in and settled at the bottom. Because of this, the river at multiple places no longer flows over soft soil but over a hard cement surface. This may not seem like a big deal, but it is actually making the water crisis in Dehradun worse. Earlier, rainwater and river water could settle down into the ground, increasing the underground water supply. But now, with a concrete base, the water just flows away, and Dehradun’s water levels are dropping faster than ever. This cemented bed has also destroyed aquatic life. Earlier, fish, plants, and other small creatures lived in the river, depending on its natural muddy base. But cement does not support life. The river is slowly becoming just a dead, polluted waterway, with no living organisms left. If the situation remains the same, Rispana might disappear forever. The government with like-minded individuals needs to step in to stop illegal construction, clean the cement from the riverbed, and ensure waste is properly managed. But more importantly, the people of Dehradun must realise that saving Rispana is about saving their own future. If we don’t act now, Dehradun’s water crisis will only get worse, and the city will lose one of its most important natural resources.
(Satvik Bansal is a Class XII-A student of Oxford School of Excellence, Dalanwala)
